Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’ve dug up some of the coziest, most romantic bars in the city to get your tryst on. So read on if you’re looking for an after-dinner cocktail – want to meet up after hours without the pool-playing, sports-watching, dirty-dancing crowds.
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| Clover Club |
The Richardson
451 Graham Ave. (@ Richardson St.)
Greenpoint 718.389.0839
Old-timey jazz coming through the speakers, ornate wallpaper, dark wood paneling and intelligent cocktails may define this new lounge, but it has none of the secrecy of its Manhattan fake-speakeasy counterparts, so you don’t need a password or famous friends to get in. It’s simply a neighborhood bar where you can actually hear yourself having a conversation, just one that happens to have mad ‘20s style and extremely patient staff willing to explain the intricate cocktails, such as the Fall Back, made with apple cider, fresh lemon juice, sugar, Applejack and rum. Olives, spiced nuts, prosciutto and the like come at affordable prices. And there’s no way you can get a $9 quality cocktail in Manhattan at a place this swank.
The Otheroom
143 Perry St. (Greenwich & Washington Sts.)
West Village 212.645.9758
This off-the-beaten-path spot could write the book on date bars. Quieter than the original in Soho, The Room, it wins you over instantly with its candlelit interior, low ceilings and friendly bartenders. Venture to the back room and stake out one of the velvet couches – the night we were there, it was occupied by three couples and one couldn’t keep their hands off each other. (We do not recommend following Usher’s advice to make “Love in This Club,” though some PDA is definitely tolerated.) Despite the trendy neighborhood and great beer selection (60 by the bottle), the place is unpretentious—they play Weezer, for God’s sake. Make sure to stop by an ATM before you go; they don’t take credit cards.
French Roast
78 W. 11th St. (@ 6th Ave.)
West Village 212.533.2233
Close to all the city party hotspots, French Roast is open 24 hours, making it the perfect place to pop into after a wild night of dancing. This French country bistro is an excellent oasis from all the craziness, though still lively—you can sip on some wine or one of the specialty cocktails, such as the Kiwi Capirosca, made with vodka, fresh kiwi, sugar and lime juice, while your night winds down.
Clover Club
210 Smith St. (Baltic & Butler Sts.)
Carroll Gardens 718.855.7939
Cocktail lounges really are crossing the river, as this hideaway, furnished with wood paneling and marble fireplaces, proves. Hand-mixed cocktails with fresh ingredients are the word here, and the atmosphere is just lively enough for people-watching, but cozy enough for a date. Also try the high-end finger foods, such as caviar and innovative burgers.
Max Café
1262 Amsterdam Ave. (near 122nd St.)
Morningside Heights 212.531.1210
A favorite of Harlemites and Columbia students trying to get with that girl from English lit class, this “SoHa” (south Harlem) staple works as both a date and a group spot. Cozy up on one of the thrift-shop couches with a glass of wine and talk Dante and Petrarch over Italian staples such as panini and antipasti for under $10.
~Natalie Gontcharova
